Books with author Nancy Garfield Garfield Woodbridge

The Magic Paintbrush is about a very poor painter who seeks help from his art school friends who live in Mexico City. He ventures forth from his village in desperation because he cannot sell his paintings and wishes to find help for himself and his family. He cannot get the help he needs from his former friends, but on his way home, he finds a magic paintbrush and is miraculously saved from poverty.

In The Rainbird, the land is in drought. There is danger that the herds of goats may die because there is no grass to eat and no water to drink. Gideon has heard of the rainbird that lives high up at the top of a mountain in Kenya in East Africa and, if seen, could bring his tribe rain. Gideon climbs to the top of the mountain against his parents’ wishes to try to save his tribe and the animals. After he climbs the mountain trying to find the rainbird, he comes down the mountain, not sure if he has seen it. His feet are torn and bleeding from the climb, and waiting for him at the bottom of the mountain is his little brother, Peter, who helps him get home to their hut safely.

In Moonbeam Flowers, Marisol comes to New York City from Puerto Rico to stay with her aunt Belisa and her cousin Rosa because her mother is ill. She goes to school with Rosa, but she misses her family and her two brothers and her home terribly. As she plans to get ready for the Classroom Christmas Carnival in New York, her dreams are dashed by some nasty classmates who destroy what she had planned for the carnival. Her teacher, Ms. Lopez, steps in to end this attack on Marisol and her cousin Rosa and gives Marisol a proper farewell party for her return to Puerto Rico.

Shanti Means Peace is the story of a baby tiger whose parents are man-eaters and have been killed by the villagers. Kallu, a small boy, befriends the little tiger and names him Shanti, which means peace. Even though Shanti has proven himself trustworthy, Kallu’s father and the other villagers plan to kill him. Kallu warns his friend the little tiger to stay away. This story has a surprising ending.

In Gideon’s Dream, Gideon and his brother, Peter, are out exploring the forest. On that day, they come upon a monkey who is severely injured. He has fallen from a tall tree. They stop what they are doing and carry him to the medicine man. He gives them potions and advice on how to help the monkey. At the same time, one of their father’s goats becomes ill, and the medicine man helps to heal him. The medicine man checks all their father’s other goats for illness. As Gideon watches the medicine man heal the animals and people, he wants to learn his secrets so that one day when he grows up, he too can help his tribe.

The Rainbird - The land is in drought. There is danger that the herds of goats may die because there is no grass to eat and no water to drink. Gideon has heard of the Rainbird that lives high up at the top of a mountain in Kenya in East Africa, and if seen could bring his tribe rain. Gideon climbs to the top of the mountain against his parents wishes to try to save his tribe and the animals. After he climbs the mountain trying to find the Rainbird, he comes down the mountain not sure if he has seen it. His feet are torn and bleeding from the climb and waiting for him at the bottom of the mountain is his little brother Peter who helps him get home to their hut safely.Shanti Means Peace - This is the story of a baby tiger whose parents are man-eaters and have beenkilled by the villagers. Kallu, a small boy befriends the little tiger and names him Shanti which means peace. Even though Shanti has proven himself trustworthy, Kallus father and the other villagers plan to kill him. Kallu warns his friend the little tiger to stay away. This story has a surprising ending.Gideons Dream - Gideon and his brother Peter are out exploring the forest. On that day, they comeupon a monkey who is severely injured. He has fallen from a tall tree. They stop what they are doing and carry him to the medicine man. He gives them potions and advice on how to help the monkey. At the same time, one of their fathers goats becomes ill and the medicine man helps to heal him. The medicine man checks all of their fathers other goats for illness. As Gideon watches the medicine man heal the animals and people, he wants to learn his secrets so that one day when he grows up he, too, can help his tribe.